From LaBelle, Florida for Hendry and Glades County and the Lake Okeechobee region. Don Browne, editor.

Friday, June 26, 2015

Supplemental Food Help For Seniors In Hendry-Glades

LABELLE, Fl. -- The Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida is expanding a program to distribute boxes of food to senior residents of Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties who are 60 years old and older.

The food bank’s goal is to improve the nutrition of older residents by enrolling 2,400 individuals in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Supplemental Food Program. The food bank will provide these clients with a box of food each month until they no longer need the assistance. The boxes will contain a variety of food including canned fruits and vegetables, juice, dry beans, rice, peanut butter, cereal and other food.

Food for this program is provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. HCFB is the only food bank in Florida involved in this program. The food bank launched the program in March in Collier County and expanded it to Lee County with state approval in May. The food bank is working with partner agencies including United Way and Hope Healthcare Service in LaBelle to take applications and distribute the food packages to eligible clients.

To be eligible for the program, individuals must: Live in Charlotte, Hendry or Glades counties. Be at least 60 years old. Have a household income up to 130% of federal poverty level for family size. Examples of income limits: For a single person household annual income limit of $15,301, 2-person household $20,709.

Applicants in Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Collier counties must be enrolled by July 17. In LaBelle, contact United Way on Bridge Street between 9-2, at 863-674-1441 or call for an appointment with Christine T. at Hope Healthcare Service on Cowboy Way at 863-675-1576.